United Voice News
Relief and Expectations
National Secretary of the Liquor Hospitality and Miscellaneous Union, Louise Tarrant, says she believes the union's membership will have a mixed reaction to Rob Oakeshott and Tony Windsor's decision to back a Gillard Government.
"On the one hand there will be relief – relief that a stable government has been formed, relief that a government that respects workers rights has been returned and relief that unfinished initiatives begun under the first labor government will be seen through."
Initiatives like:
- quality childcare reforms delivering professional education and care to our youngest Australians through improved ratios and properly paid and qualified staff
- the review of the aged care sector so essential to understanding the challenges and reforms required to respond to an aging population and a workforce currently overworked and underpaid
- to procurement reforms ensuring only responsible contractors, who treat their workforce properly and are honest in their tendering, are rewarded with government contracts
- ongoing support for lifting low pay through support for real minimum wage increases, the low pay bargaining stream under the Fair work Act and further progressive tax reform
"But, there is also an expectation – an expectation of more."
"LHMU members have overwhelmingly cited health and climate change as areas where they expect leadership from government on reform," Ms Tarrant says.
"Health reform is a massive issue – affordability, accessibility and appropriate care is of key concern to members – city and country.
"Climate change is also a key issue for members. The transition to a sustainable energy base for our economy will be critical as members struggle already with rising power bills, inadequate public transport and problems of retro fitting rental accommodation.
"And finally members want to see the economy working for them – that means a government committed to creating good quality, well paid jobs, where workers have rights and a voice, where income and employment is secure and where people earn enough in their working life to sustain a dignified retirement," Ms. Tarrant says.
